Wales were grateful for a gift try for Liam Williams, the boot of Leigh Halfpenny and their bravery in the face of this revitalised French side. Warren Gatland’s team were forced to make almost twice as many tackles as their opponents.

But they defended heroically, making it six wins from their last seven meetings with Les Bleus.

The only consolation for the visitors — and perhaps for the Welsh too — was the losing bonus which meant they also finished above England.

There was a real end-of-season feel to proceedings early on.

But it was more like end of the pier stuff as France handed Wales a farcical score after just four minutes.

Fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc popped over a neat dropped goal to strike the first blow for his side but the French just stood and watched as Dan Biggar’s restart landed short of the ten-metre line.

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Wales quickly snaffled the loose ball and Scott Williams’ grubber bounced over Trinh-Duc’s head, allowing Liam Williams to dive over the line. Halfpenny missed the touchline conversion but slotted two penalties to give Wales an 11-3 lead with 15 minutes gone.

France showed plenty of adventure but a series of handing errors killed their momentum — until they got it right in spectacular fashion to score one of the best tries of the Championship.

Gael Fickou started the move with a blindside dart and forwards Adrien Pelissie and Sebastian Vahaamahina both motored down the touchline before the ball was moved back infield.